I've just finished the link to Bobbi Newman's slides about libraries changing to meet the transliteracy needs of their patrons. I don't have the answers but I am glad to see the likes of Macmillan CEO John Sargent at least attempting to get discussing the future.
I really liked the one slide of Newman's that says anything that is invented when we are born is the normal way of doing things, anything invented when we are between the ages of 15 and 35 is new and innovative and exciting, and anything invented after that is viewed as against the natural order of things. Printed books are the natural order of things for me, but if printed books were reduced (eliminated all together?) and one could only access a book on an e-reader, could that be the normal for my grandchildren? (Newman's slides are thought provoking and worth looking at)
The industries involved in this debate - libraries, publishers, booksellers, authors - need to be engaged and thinking of how they will adapt to the future. There's nothing new about industries disappearing from our landscape because they didn't adapt. But this is so important to society - it's not only how we communicate our values, fears, etc, it is how we leave a record for future generations.
Showing posts with label print books. Show all posts
Showing posts with label print books. Show all posts
Friday, January 27, 2012
Thursday, January 26, 2012
Can books exist only in print media?
I have thought a lot about the question of whether books can only exist in paper-printed media. This is an important question as Sara Lloyd reflects in "A book publisher's manifesto for the 21st century."
I've always felt a relationship with books - a connection that was real between me and the printed words on the paper. I have fond memories of going to the library as a child - I lived in a small town and didn't have to be taken by my parents. I found my own way there. The idea of writing my own book has been a deeply held goal of mine for many years.
This past Christmas I got my first e-reader and I am enjoying it, despite the fact I really do enjoy the feel of a 'real' book in my hands. My use of the adjective 'real' suggests the book isn't real if it is on the e-reader - I'm not sure that is correct. I think the 'book' can still exist online.
The idea that I could publish a book online without having to find a publisher to accept my effort is appealing, although I believe that publishers offer invaluable services like professional editors (every writer needs an editor) and marketing - services that many writer's are happy to accept.
Still, I am concerned about the idea of losing the printed version of the book. And here's why.
Books are a reflection of our society and our culture. They also are a record of our history. If we want to preserve that, if we want to leave a history of our time for future generations, I think it needs to be in print. Technology changes. What if the Dead Sea Scrolls were left on a Memex (Bush - As We May Think p. 44), imagining such a machine could be created in that time, would we be able to read them today?
I've always felt a relationship with books - a connection that was real between me and the printed words on the paper. I have fond memories of going to the library as a child - I lived in a small town and didn't have to be taken by my parents. I found my own way there. The idea of writing my own book has been a deeply held goal of mine for many years.
This past Christmas I got my first e-reader and I am enjoying it, despite the fact I really do enjoy the feel of a 'real' book in my hands. My use of the adjective 'real' suggests the book isn't real if it is on the e-reader - I'm not sure that is correct. I think the 'book' can still exist online.
The idea that I could publish a book online without having to find a publisher to accept my effort is appealing, although I believe that publishers offer invaluable services like professional editors (every writer needs an editor) and marketing - services that many writer's are happy to accept.
Still, I am concerned about the idea of losing the printed version of the book. And here's why.
Books are a reflection of our society and our culture. They also are a record of our history. If we want to preserve that, if we want to leave a history of our time for future generations, I think it needs to be in print. Technology changes. What if the Dead Sea Scrolls were left on a Memex (Bush - As We May Think p. 44), imagining such a machine could be created in that time, would we be able to read them today?
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